Germany probes Equity

Funding and prod'n outfit bankrolled 'Black Dahlia'

BERLIN — Equity Pictures, the fund operator and production outfit that bankrolled Brian De Palma’s “The Black Dahlia” and Richard Donner’s “16 Blocks,” has been snagged in German prosecutors’ ever-expanding probe into film funds.

Authorities last week searched the company’s Munich offices as part of the larger investigation, which began last year after the government introduced laws to stamp out all tax shelters including film funds.

Equity topper Andreas Thiesmeyer downplayed the search, saying Equity had never used a questionable fund structure similar to that of others under investigation. He said Equity would cooperate fully with authorities.